est Central Electric December 2019 Vol. 20 No. 8

Oh, Christmas Tree! Cutting Your Own Page 8 Keeping Good Cheer: Holiday Safety Page 12 GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT Let Me Introduce Myself...

As the new general manager at West Central Electric, I thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce myself and give you a little of my background information in this month’s report. One of the most telling things about me is that rural electric cooperatives have always been a part of my life. My father’s first job out of college was as a secretary at Moreau-Grand Electric Cooperative in Timber Lake, S.D., where I spent the first 18 years of my life. Through the years, I watched my dad work his way up until he became the general manager. I don’t know how many annual meetings I’ve attended, but they started before I was in kindergarten! I also remember that during severe outages, my dad left our home for work. One time in particular and during a blizzard, I remember a lineman coming to get him in a tracked Bombardier. As I watched him leave and go down the street, I remember thinking how neat that was. It wasn’t until I was older, that I realized just how serious the situation was. Anytime we have members and livestock without power, it’s all hands on deck until the Jeff Birkeland, CEO lights are back on. I also suspect I was like a lot of young men who idolized their dad and wanted to [email protected] be just like him. It was this desire that put me on a path to where I am today and I take great pride in knowing that I’m one step closer to being like my father. My parents were both raised in the rural Dupree, S.D., area which allowed me the opportunity to work on a farm during the summer. I think it’s a fair statement that I learned what a hard day’s work means while working for my grandpa. He once said, “Working 8-to-5 is for city people. We work when the sun shines and when it rains, we work on equipment.” I learned many lessons here and I appreciate all that our farmers do for us in our communities. I will never forget the smell of a skunk going through my conditioner header on an open-cab swather. That will make a hot afternoon even more enjoyable. After high school I spent the next four years at Northern State University where I graduated with a double major, one in business management and the other in marketing. Upon graduating, I was lucky enough to land a job at Spink Electric Cooperative in Redfield, S.D. I worked there almost two years as an accountant before Steve Reed hired me as a staff assistant at West Central Electric in Murdo. I’ve spent the last 25 years learning our cooperative and have greatly enjoyed living in a small town. My wife, Le Ann, and I have two sons, Jacob and Matthew. Jacob is a freshman at Black Hills State University and Matthew is a freshman at Jones County High School. A few of my hobbies include hunting, fishing and doing my part to contribute to our community. I also volunteer as an archery instructor for the local 4-H shooting sports program, which takes place January through April every year. A funny thing about this is that up until 11 years ago, I had never shot a bow. Now I teach kids! That is how life goes when you are a parent in a small town. Our oldest son wanted to shoot BB gun in the 4-H shooting sports program which was fine, but he soon thought shooting a bow looked more exciting. So, he put the BB gun down and picked up a bow and as they say, “the rest is history.” He loved shooting archery and they just happened to be short on instructors, so I stepped in and started learning and taking archery classes to help fill that void. Now I’ll stand on my soap box and tell you that this has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. When a young child stands before you and their eyes light up with excitement and anticipation of shooting archery, it is a contagious feeling. Soon thereafter we are The Birkelands: Jacob, doing high fives for their first arrow hitting the target, then it’s their Jeff, Le Ann and Matthew. first bullseye and it keeps progressing as they get better. The kids just think they are simply shooting archery, but they are actually learning about focus, concentration, patience and setting goals. Before you know it, they are skilled enough and qualify for the state competition. When that happens and the kid comes to you, says thank you and gives you a big hug, there’s not a better sense of accomplishment. In summary, that’s me in a nutshell. A small-town boy who followed his dreams and ended up in Murdo and doing what he loves! It is with great pride and excitement I take the helm as the new general manager of your electric co-op.

2 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 CO-OP NEWS

West WHAT IS SMARTHUB? SmartHub is a web and mobile Central app that allows you to take control of all aspects of your Electric utility account. Pay your bill, manage your use and contact us with service issues quickly and easily online or on your mobile device. (USPS No. 018-988) President Mike McQuistion, Fort Pierre Vice President Shad Riggle, Hayes Secretary/Treasurer Manage Your View and Pay Monitor Usage Report Service Receive Important Kenneth Miller, Draper Account Your Bill 24/7 Issues Updates Directors Rich Bendt, Kadoka Marty Hansen, Philip David J. Mertens, Kennebec SMART COMMUNICATION Kevin Neuhauser, Midland SmartHub goes beyond bill payments and usage tracking. This online and mobile app Paul Patterson, Draper is also a powerful communication tool. Report service interruptions and route account Jim Smith, Vivian inquiries on the go. Be in the know with alerts for service work, news promotions and events…all in the palm of your hand and online. Jim Willert, Belvidere Attorney SMART ENVIRONMENT David Larson, Chamberlain Going paperless with SmartHub is easy. With convenient access to your bill anytime, anywhere, doing your part to save the environment is easy too. CEO/Manager Jeff Birkeland, Murdo SMART PAYMENTS With SmartHub, you’ll be notified when your bill is due and can pay securely online or in the Our Mission is to Provide app, anytime, anywhere. Sign up for auto payments, set up your secure preferred payment Safe, Reliable Service method and let account management go into auto pilot. to our Member Owners. SMART USAGE West Central Electric Cooperative, Saving money just got easier. Track your usage and take the guesswork out of your bill. Through detailed graphs, you’ll be able to monitor usage 24/7 and track your Inc., is an equal opportunity consumption, finding ways to reduce and save. provider and employer. Call 605-669-8100 24-hour Dispatching

WEST CENTRAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS West Central is published monthly by West Central Electric Cooperative, Inc., PO Box 17, Murdo, SD 57559. Periodicals Postage Paid at Murdo, SD 57559 and at additional mailing offices. Electric Electric’s offices cooperative members devote $1 from their monthly electric payments for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $18 annually. will be closed POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: West Central Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 17, Murdo, SD 57559; telephone 605-669-8100; fax 605-669-2358; Nov. 28 and e-mail [email protected]; Web site: www.wce.coop; Twitter: @WCElectric; Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestCentralElectricCooperative Nov. 29 for

Design assistance by SDREA Thanksgiving.

December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 3 SAFETY TIPS Electrical Safety Tips for the Holidays The holiday season is here and Christmas is just weeks away. While it’s certainly the best time of the year to spend time with family and friends before the New Year, it’s also important that you think about keeping your friends and family safe around all the electricity you’ll likely be using. Here are a few essential electrical safety tips for the holidays. „° Before you use any electrical decorations, you should inspect them for damage. Look for damaged sockets, cracked sockets, loose connections and bare or loose wires. All of these things could cause a fire or a serious shock. „° Once you’ve confirmed that all your electrical decorations aren’t damaged, you should count how many outlets you have in your home and where they’re located. You should plan out your displays based on the number of outlets and their location. When putting up the displays, be sure to follow the care and manufacturer’s use instructions that came with the electrical decorations. Be sure to use the extension cords with the right amperage rating to match the amperage needs of your electrical products. „° When you’re installing outdoor decorations, you should be very careful when you’re decorating near any power KIDS CORNER SAFETY POSTER lines. You and your equipment should be at least 10 feet from any power lines. „° Don’t overload your home’s electrical outlets. Every year, many homeowners end up overloading the electrical outlets in their home because they go overboard when it comes to decorating. Faulty wires and overloaded electrical outlets are the most common causes of fire during the holidays. You should only plug a single high- wattage appliance into every outlet. This will help you prevent overloading the outlets in your home. „° You should never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights. Connecting more than three strings can cause a fire or trip circuit breakers. You should think about buying LED lights, which are cooler than incandescent lights and use less energy. Be sure that the spotlights that you use to illuminate decorations are far from flammable items, protected from weather, and are well-ventilated. Make sure that you always unplug your decorations before you replace the fuses or bulbs. Turn off the outdoor and indoor electrical decorations before you go to sleep or leave home. “Don’t drive on power lines.” „° Be sure that any electrical decorations and extension cords were made to be useable outdoors. Keep all light Anna Engelbrecht, 9 years old strings and extension cords away from water and snow. When decorating outdoors, you should use fiberglass Anna is the grand-daughter of Alan and JoAnn Engel- or wooden ladders rather than metal ladders. You brecht, Brandon, S.D. They are members of Sioux Valley should plug outdoor decorations and electric lights Energy, Colman, S.D. into circuits protected by circuit interrupters. You should buy portable outdoor GFCIs if the circuits aren’t Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local GFCI protected. electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster As you can see, there are many things that you can do to is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your keep your family and friends safe during the holidays. name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged. Source: www.protectamerica.com 4 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 RECIPES

HolidayHoliday FavoritesFavorites

Fanny Farmer Fudge Vanilla Pecan Pie

4-1/2 cups sugar 1 cup butter (use butter, not 1 refrigerated pie crust Vanilla Extract, divided margarine) 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, 1/2 cup light corn syrup milk 2 tsp. vanilla softened 3 T. butter, melted 2 cups semi-sweet 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts 3 eggs, divided chocolate chips (optional) 1/4 tsp. salt 3/4 cup sugar, divided 2 cups milk chocolate chips 2 cups pecan pieces, 4 tsp. McCormick® Pure toasted

Mix sugar and milk together; bring to rolling boil. Boil for 6 Prepare crust as directed on package for one-crust pie using 9-inch minutes. Remove from heat; add chocolate chips and butter. Beat deep dish pie plate. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar and 2 with electric mixer until very creamy. Add vanilla and stir well. Add tsp. vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until nuts if desired. Pour into a 9x13-inch pan (glass works best) sprayed well blended and smooth. Spread evenly on bottom of crust. Bake at with cooking spray. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before cutting. Store 350°F. for 15 minutes. Beat remaining 2 eggs and sugar in large bowl in airtight container. Will keep for months in refrigerator and still with wire whisk until smooth. Add corn syrup, butter, remaining be smooth and creamy. vanilla and salt; stir until well blended. Sprinkle pecans evenly over cream cheese layer. Slowly pour corn syrup mixture over nuts. Bake Nancy Stenson, Fort Pierre, SD 35 to 40 minutes or until just set in center. Makes 10 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 506, Total Fat 34g, Fiber Andes Mint Cookies 2g, Protein 7g, Cholesterol 96mg, Sodium 307mg, Carbohydrates 43g

2-1/2 cups flour 2 large eggs Pictured, Cooperative Connections 3/4 cup cocoa powder 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. peppermint extract Filled Graham Crackers 2 sticks and 2 T. butter, 1 cup chocolate chips 1 lb. box honey graham 1/3 cup milk softened crackers 1 cup mint chips or chopped 1 egg, beaten 1 cup granulated sugar Andes mints 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine

Sift flour, cocoa powder and baking soda in a medium bowl and set Line up 22 (unbroken) graham crackers on a sheet of waxed paper. aside. Using a hand mixer, cream together butter and both sugars Place remaining crackers in a zip-lock bag and crush fine with a until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla and peppermint extracts, mixing well. rolling pin. Combine brown sugar, butter, milk and egg. Bring to Add dry mixture to butter mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate a boil then cook an additional 7 minutes. Remove from heat; add and mint chips. Roll dough into 1-1/2-inch balls. Place on prepared crushed crackers and vanilla. When mixture has cooled a little, baking sheet and with 2 fingers, press down to about 1-inch thick. spread filling on 11 of the crackers and top with the other 11. Leave Bake at 350°F. for 15 to 18 minutes or until no longer glossy. uncovered to keep them crisp or cover for softer crackers.

Cortney Reedy, Tea, SD Mardelle Brown, Redfield, SD

Please send your favorite soup, brunch or seafood recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in June 2020. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.

December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 5 Dear Pat and Brad: I’ve heard a lot about smart lighting for the home. What is it, and will it save energy? – Julian Dear Julian: It seems like every device is getting smarter these days. Since smart-home lighting is so new, many of us could use a little introduction. At its heart, smart lighting covers a range of bulbs, controls and lighting systems that are programmable through an app on a mobile device, computer or smart speaker. Smart lighting can do more than just turn on and off at the right time. Some smart lighting systems ENERGY CENTS can dim at various times. Some can be connected to a sensor or motion detector so that a light goes on when a door is opened, or someone enters a room. Some smart lighting systems can change color so you can set up a holiday light show indoors or outdoors. It can also be practical, providing lighting that matches sunlight during the day and is more relaxing in the evening. You may even be able to play music directly from the bulb! In most cases, you control smart lighting through your home Wi-Fi. You can communicate to individual smart bulbs or to a hub that, Bright Ideas for in turn, controls individual bulbs. In some cases, you can use Bluetooth® on your phone to control smart lighting, but you’ll need to be within range of the bulb or hub. Smart lighting can also be used outdoors, but the range of your control device could limit this approach. If the smart bulbs are the type that connect through a hub or connect directly to your Wi-Fi network, you should be able to control them Smart Home Lighting via smart speakers like Google Home, Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod, and remotely through the internet or smartphone. While a hub-based system is more expensive, it allows lights to be grouped by floor or room, and also uses less bandwidth on your network than running many separate bulbs. Some hub kits also allow you to use regular bulbs instead of requiring more-expensive smart bulbs, which Dear Pat and Brad: I’ve heard a lot about smart lighting for the home. What is it and will it save could save you money. energy? – Julian Will smart lighting save energy? That depends on how you light your home and control your lighting now, and on how you would Dear Julian: It seems like every device is getting smarter these days. Since smart-home lighting is so control the smart lighting you install in the future. If you use smart lighting to turn lights off when they aren’t needed, like when rooms new, many of us could use a little introduction. are empty or no one’s home, or to reduce the wattage, you will save energy. At its heart, smart lighting covers a range of bulbs, controls and lighting systems that are program- How much energy can you save? Lighting accounts for about 6% of electricity use in the average home, which means your total cost for mable through an app on a mobile device, computer or smart speaker. Smart lighting can do more all the lighting in your home might only be $100 per year. If you have some high wattage bulbs that are on for long periods of time every than just turn on and off at the right time. Some smart lighting systems can dim at various times. day, your lighting use could be significantly higher than average. Some can be connected to a sensor or motion detector so that a light goes on when a door is opened or someone enters a room. Some smart lighting systems can change color so you can set up Investments in smart lighting are not likely to pay back as quickly as some energy efficiency measures that control heating or air condi- a holiday light show indoors or outdoors. It can also be practical, providing lighting that matches tioning. Smart bulbs are more expensive than typical LED bulbs, ranging from $15 to $80, and a hub can cost of up to $125, so it could Pat Keegan sunlight during the day and is more relaxing in the evening. You may even be able to play music take a long time to make your money back. Chances are, you’re better off investing in smart lighting for the features than the energy directly from the bulb! savings. Collaborative Efficiency In most cases, you control smart lighting through your home Wi-Fi. You can communicate to indi- One alternative to smart lighting is smart wall outlets or wall switches. For example, you can plug a lamp with a standard bulb into a vidual smart bulbs or to a hub that, in turn, controls individual bulbs. In some cases, you can use smart wall outlet, or you can have several lights wired to one smart switch. The downside to smart switches and outlets is that installation Bluetooth® on your phone to control smart lighting, but you’ll need to be within range of the bulb or could be more challenging, and you may not have as many options and features that come with smart lighting. hub. Smart lighting can also be used outdoors, but the range of your control device could limit this Another strategy for smart lighting that has been around for a long time and is reasonably priced is to use occupancy sensors, motion approach. sensors or timers as control devices. Smart If the smart bulbs are the type that connect through a hub or connect directly to your Wi-Fi The wide number of options and costs makes it difficult to select the best smart lighting for your situation. We suggest you do the network, you should be able to control them via smart speakers like Google Home, Amazon Echo research to make sure it’s worth your time and money to make the change. lighting or Apple HomePod and remotely through the internet or smartphone. While a hub-based system is more expensive, it allows lights to be grouped by floor or room and also uses less bandwidth on This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information on smart lighting, please can do your network than running many separate bulbs. Some hub kits also allow you to use regular bulbs visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips. more than instead of requiring more-expensive smart bulbs, which could save you money. just turn Will smart lighting save energy? That depends on how you light your home and control your CUTLINES lighting now and on how you would control the smart lighting you install in the future. If you use on and smart lighting to turn lights off when they aren’t needed, like when rooms are empty or no one’s off at the home, or to reduce the wattage, you will save energy. PhilipsHueLightHub_Source_Philips.jpg: Smart lighting systems that run through a hub, like the Philips Hue shown here, can control all right time. How much energy can you save? Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of electricity use in the the lighting inside and outside your home. Photo Credit: Philips (Attribution required.) average home, which means your total cost for all the lighting in your home might only be $100 per year. If you have some high wattage bulbs that are on for long periods of time every day, your lighting use could be significantly higher than average. AmazonEchoSmartSpeaker_Source_Amazon.jpg: Many smart lighting systems can be controlled through smart speakers like the Investments in smart lighting are not likely to pay back as quickly as some energy efficiency measures that control heating or air conditioning. Smart bulbs are more expensive than typical LED bulbs, ranging from $15 to $80, and a hub can cost of up to $125, so it could take a long time to make your money back. Chances are, you’re better off investing in smart lighting for the features than the energy savings. One alternative to smart lighting is smart wall outlets or wall switches. For example, you can plug a lamp with a standard bulb into a smart wall outlet or you can have several lights wired to one smart switch. The downside to smart switches and outlets is that installation could be more challenging and you may not have as many options and features that come with smart lighting. Another strategy for smart lighting that has been around for a long time and is reasonably priced is to use occupancy sensors, motion sensors or timers as control devices. The wide number of options and costs makes it difficult to select the best smart lighting for your situation. 6 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 NEWS BRIEFS

Photos, posters , memorabilia and vintage electric appliances are all part of the Power to the People exhibit. Power to the People Electrifying Rural South Dakota Exhibit Opens at Museum The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings Joseph J. Bonnemann and Coral (Coffey) Bonnemann are natives opened its “Power to the People: Electrifying Rural South Dakota” of Huron, S.D. Joe started college at South Dakota State Univer- exhibit in October. sity in Brookings and then spent time in the Army in the late 1940s, before returning to school. After earning a B.S. degree in The exhibit explores how electricity changed life on the farm, agronomy (now plant science) in 1951, especially for dairies and hatcheries. It displays how farms used Joe was employed at the USDA-ARS wind turbines to produce electricity and the history of rural experiment station near Newell, S.D. electric cooperatives. The museum’s farmhouse kitchen is open He returned to the SDSU campus in for the public to explore a 1949 kitchen. It also shows how electric 1961 to supervise the Crop Performance washing machines changed how we do laundry. Testing program. Joe retired in 1992. “Today, our society is very dependent on electricity, but imagine He also completed work for his M.S. in turning on the lights for the very first time. Many people in agronomy in 1964, a summer-school South Dakota can remember that day because a vast number of graduate of the first graduating class of farms did not have access to electricity until the 1950s. We hope “SDSU.” Joe passed away in 2014. Coral visitors of all generations walk away with a better understanding Ellen Coffey Bonnemann earned a B. that wind energy in South Dakota is not new and how much S. degree in medical technology from A pedal-powered electricity not only brought new technology but better sanitary SDSU in 1953. She served on the board light meter allows hands-on conditions for families and livestock,” stated Gwen McCausland, of directors of the Brookings Hospital learning for director of the Agricultural Heritage Museum. and Brookview Manor, 1972-89, visitors. including terms both as secretary and This exhibit teaches the science of electricity with an interactive president. She was active in matters circuit board and a pedal-powered light meter sponsored by Basin of hospital governance on the state and national levels for over Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck, N.D., East River Electric 10 years during that time. The Bonnemanns have three children. Power Cooperative in Madison, S.D., Sioux Valley Energy in Colman, S.D., and H-D Electric Cooperative in Clear Lake, S.D. The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum’s mission is to inspire a passion for the diverse history, culture and science This exhibit was sponsored in part by Coral Bonnemann, a long of agriculture in South Dakota. It is the official state museum supporter of the Agricultural Heritage Museum along with for preserving the history of agriculture and rural life of South Basin Electric, East River Electric, Sioux Valley Energy, and H-D Dakota. It is a department of South Dakota State University. It Electric. This exhibit would not have been possible without the is located in the historic Stock Judging Pavilion on the SDSU private collection of photographs and artifacts from the South campus at 977 11th Street, Brookings, S.D. The museum is open Dakota Rural Electric Association in Pierre, S.D., and William Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Lee of Colman, S.D. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 605-688-6226 or Power to the People: Electrifying Rural South Dakota will be on visit www.agmuseum.com. display for 18 months. December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 7 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Riverview Christmas Tree Farm is located near Canton, S.D., near the Big Sioux River.

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE Cut-Your-Own Tree Opportunities

Brenda Kleinjan [email protected]

Traditions can be an important part of the holidays and for many, nothing matches the aroma and feel of a fresh-cut Christmas tree. Many have taken advantage of the cut-your-own tradition at the Black Hills National Forest. But for those not wanting to trek across the Rushmore State to the Black Hills, Christmas tree farms closer to home have been part of holidays. In eastern South Dakota, families have been cutting their own trees at the Riverview Christmas Tree Farm at Canton, S.D., since 1989. The tree farm is a family business that was opened in 1989 by Bill and Darlene Keizer. The business is now operated by the Todd and Shari Gannon family. Families search the acres of trees looking for the perfect tree for their family. Five tree varieties ranging in sizes from six to 10 feet provide families several options. The tree farm provides the saw for cutting the tree and a tractor/trailer brings the family and their tree back to the farm’s lodge to enjoy hot drinks and holiday treats. The farm is open four weekends in November and December. In 2019, the farm will be open Saturdays (Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays (Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15) from Noon to 5 p.m. as well as Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28 (2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and Black Friday, Nov. 29 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Photo by SD Tourism Photo by

8 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 HOLIDAY NEWS Visitors to the tree farm can enjoy the beautiful scenery, shopping for holiday crafts and Christmas wreaths. They can also pet the animals in the pen and see Santa! Cut Your Own Fresh Riverview Christmas Tree Farm Tree Varieties Christmas Tree This „°Fraser Fir Year From the Black „°Balsam Fir Hills National Forest „°Canaan Fir Christmas tree tags will be available Nov. 12 to Dec. 24, 2019, at Forest „°White Pine Service offices in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. „°Black Hills Spruce The Black Hills National Forest will also continue the Fourth-Grade Free Christmas Tree Program again this holiday season. Riverview Christmas Tree Farm features cut-your-own trees, ranging from six to nine feet tall, Fourth-graders are eligible for a FREE Christmas tree permit through sell for $9 to $11 per foot, depending on the variety. the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. Every Kid Outdoors is a nationwide Pre-cut trees, ranging from six to 10 feet tall sell for $7 call to action to build the next generation of conservationists. All fourth to $8 per foot. graders are eligible to receive a fourth-grade pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year. Learn more about Riverview Christmas Tree Farm at In order for students to receive a free Christmas tree permit, they must http://www.riverviewtreefarm.com/ present a valid fourth grade pass or paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website: https://everykidoutdoors.gov. To obtain Tips for Trees Cut at the voucher, visit the website, click on the “Get your pass” button Black Hills National Forest and follow the instructions. Print out the paper voucher and bring it with you to a district office or the supervisor’s office on the Black Hills Cutting Guidelines National Forest. „°The maximum tree height is 20 feet. White spruce, ponderosa pine and western juniper are available and can be cut in many parts of the National Forest. „° Cut the stump within six inches of the ground. Each permit is accompanied by a handout with guidance about appro- „°Cut and scatter the limbs and other unused parts priate tree removal. Trees may not be cut in developed recreation of the tree so they lie within a foot of the ground. sites, Forest Service administrative sites, active timber sales, the Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, the Black Elk Wilderness, the Setting Up Your Tree Beaver Park area near Sturgis or within Spearfish Canyon. „°Keep your tree as fresh as possible. Individual permits cost $10, up to a maximum of five permits are allowed per individual and the maximum allowable height of cut trees „° Store your tree upright in a bucket of water in the is 20 feet. Permits require that you cut the entire tree, leaving no more garage or basement until you are ready to move it than six inches of stump and that you cut unused branches so they lay indoors. flat on the ground. „°In the house, keep the tree well watered at all The adhesive permit tag must be attached before a tree is removed times. from the cutting area; a citation can be issued for possession of a cut-but-untagged tree, even if a tag is available in person or in your „°Keep the tree away from fireplaces, stoves or vehicle. heating vents. Trees should be placed in water as soon as possible to help keep Kinds of trees available: needles fresh. Once indoors, trees should be placed away from „°Ponderosa pine is noted for its full shape and long stoves, heaters or heating ducts. After Christmas, used trees should graceful needles. It grows almost everywhere in be disposed of properly as yard waste. Do not dump used trees on the Black Hills. national forest land. There are no refunds for uncut trees or unused permits. Please note „° Spruce is very popular as a holiday tree. It grows that Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Dec. at higher elevations and on wetter, north-facing 24 is the last day permits will be sold at Forest Service offices. Private slopes and drainage bottoms. Spruce has a classic vendors may sell tags until Dec. 24. tapered form and its short needles allow for easy stringing of lights and ornaments. Tags are available by mail from the Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD, 57730. Enclose a check or money order in „°Juniper is a shorter tree found at lower elevations the amount of $10 for each tree permit, up to a maximum of five trees in the southern and western parts of the Black per individual as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Forest Hills. Many people like its full shape and bluish- Service will mail tags and cutting instructions.

Photo by SD Tourism Photo by green coloring. December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 9 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Capital credit checks were returned for the following individuals. Help us find them and get the money they are owed into their hands. Contact the office at 605-669-8100 with any information. Thank you for your assistance. A W Cherry and Sons Comp Bros Foster, Kenneth King, Clifford Oliver, Will Springs Gas Abbott, Albert Cooper, Tracy Frame, Marie Kirschenmann, Dean Olson Ranch Inc Company Aby, Perry Cross, Andrea Garnos, Veran Kirscher, Peter Olson, Duane C Stevahn, Reinhold L Amsden, Shirley Currey, Allen Gebur, Denise Knecht, Marvin T Opbroek, Eugene Stoeser, Alex Andersen, Clarence D Dakota Plains Prod Goodman, Ralph Krumm, Karen W Ostlien, John Stricker, Carolyn Anderson, Amos Inc Goodwin, Esther Langdeau, Rita D Ott, Katharina Swan, Marvin E Anderson, Ray F Dakota West Ltd Grassrope, Jefferson Laroche, Melvin D Pan Am Agri Inc Tennyson, Jack M Barber, Lesa Daschel, Bernard A Graves Construction Leichtnam, Mark Patton, Dorothy Terca, J Barker, Cheryl D Dejong, Leo Greenfield, Donna Lemon, Don Pfeifle, Robert Thompson, Brian Barr, James Desersa, Clement Gregory, Marie Lewison, Golda Pickner, Kelly Totton, Sandra Barthel, Gene Dias, Harriet Grimes, James R Loney Estate, A Pier, J E Tusberg, Bruce E Baylor, Karen L Donelan, Nancy Hale, Bernard Loveday, Clifford N Plumley, Robert L U.S. West Communications Bearheels, Stacey Dorothy, Julia Hall, Lillian Maas, Larry Poper, Michael E Urban, James R Beckwith, Leslie Drabek, Anton Harris, Katherine Martin, Kathi N Northern Energy Valandra, David A Belvidere Christian Drabek, Gay M Hartley, Randy Marvin, Shirley Propane Vana W Construction School Driving, Hawk Ben Haugland, Nels Mcgrath, Dan Quilt, Dorcus VFW Post 3653 Berg, Alice Dykstra, Jeff Hayes, Randy J Mcgrath, Howard Rapid City Production Wagaman, Veryl Betchner, Robert Egerdal, John Healy, John E Metz, Christopher J Regas, Donald Walker, Julie P Bingen, Noel D Ellston, Verne D Henderson, Myrna S Miller, A C Reutter, Randall J Watkins, Richard K Blair, James Engen, Oscar Hendricks, Timothy J Miller, Vern Risseeuw, Wesley Weber, Tim Boe, Raymond Erikson, Norman Hofer, Mildred L Moore, Patty G Sabolik, Sherri West, John Boschee, Ronald Evans, Barbara Hofmann, August Moore, Shirley M Sack, Robert M White, Howard Brakke, Marc A Farmers Home Hofmeister, L D Morgan, Ola F Admin Schmidt, Robert Whiteco Metrocom Buchholz, Carl J Hofmeister, Lauren Motorola Inc Farris, Alice Schulte, Donald F Whitney, Bradford Buckles, Edna E Hovland, Wade Mulcahy, Thilda Fast Horse, Martha Seachris, Teresa Williams, Donald E Buxcel, Shirley Hoyer, Bruce Nebola, Deanna Fennell, John T Seaton, Robert Williams, R T Byre, Rhonda Hubbard, G A Neeman, Arla Ferguson, Roxanne Sechler, Hazel M Williamson, Anita Caldwell, Louis Hulm, Andrew D Neiss, Lynda Fishburn, Gene C Sheriff, Glen Yager, Eldon Carr, Millard Illian, Marie K Neumann, Marjorie Fitch, Edward Simmons, Douglas Yazzi, Ronda Chaplain, R M Ino, George Newmann, Van Flesner, Carson Smith, Delmar E Yost, Ralph Christensen, Ronald Jacoby, Joe Noldner, Edyth Flute, Virgil Sommer, Don Young, Irwin H Christensen, Jennerjahn, Susan Noteboom, Dick Steven W. Folkerts, Rommert F Sorensen, Merlyn Zelenka, Sharon Jensen, Robert W Obryan, Dale Clifford, Helen Forney, Paul E Sparks, James W Joyce, Viola E Odom, Tommy Jr Coleman, Tracy Fosness, Noel C

10 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 YOUR ENERGY

Save Money this Winter by Weatherizing your Home

Your electric cooperative is unique in that we gas furnace is tuned properly. are pretty much the only folks out there that will Make sure your ceiling fans are set for the actively help you try to buy less of a product that proper rotation. Reverse (clockwise) is used in we are selling. So far it seems like we are getting the winter to help circulate the warm air from the cold weather a little early and the Almanac is the ceiling down and out. During the summer foretelling a hard winter. With those two things the counterclockwise rotation is used to give a in mind, I thought it would be a good time to wind-chill effect that is not desirable during cold bring up some easy things you can do to help weather. Don’t forget to turn off the fan when weatherize your home and help save energy this the room is not in use. season. One easy upgrade is to convert to a program- Check for drafts mable thermostat that allows you to set your Kit Talich Air leaks around windows and doors can be system to automatically heat to a lower tempera- remedied by replacing the weather stripping/ ture while the home is unoccupied and warm up Staff Engineer door sweep or by using a high-quality caulk when you come home. [email protected] on smaller gaps. Larger gaps may require an Insulate expanding foam (just make sure you get a “low pressure” type so it does not bow or bend For our part of the world it is currently recom- framework). There are also indoor window mended to have a minimum insulation rating insulation kits that can help. Finally, don’t forget of R-49 in the attic. This equates to roughly 16 Dollar for to check doors that lead to uninsulated spaces inches to 18 inches of loose fill insulation. A lot like a garage. of times you can just blow in more on top of the dollar, adding existing insulation. Your local hardware store Air leaks can also happen where plumbing, insulation is will have a machine you can rent. telephone, electric or ducting comes through one of the barriers like walls, floors and ceilings. These For walls and floors, adding insulation value is can be sealed up with the same methods as a bit tougher and usually must wait until you most effective mentioned above. Remember to use fire-re- have the space opened up for another project. ways to cut sistant materials on leaks around chimneys, However, if your home has blown-in insulation furnace vents, etc. in the walls it most likely has settled and it may energy costs. be worthwhile to get in there to reinsulate. Drafts found around outlets and switches can be sealed up by using inexpensive pre-cut foam Dollar for dollar, adding insulation is one of the gaskets. most effective ways to cut energy costs. HVAC tips If you have checked everything you can think of but still feel winter’s chill, you can contact Replacing your air filter on a regular basis will us. The Member Services Department would be allow your system to operate at peak efficiency. more than happy to come out and do an energy A monthly basis is best, but if you’re like me and audit of your home to help find other potential your filters cost $25 to $30 each, you can shoot ways to save. for quarterly or at least semi-annually. This article has covered three of the top areas Check for duct leaks and clean the duct work. that you can focus on to help save energy this Usually duct cleaning will have to be completed winter, but that is just the tip of the iceberg! You by a professional, but duct leaks can normally be can find these and other great tips on the web sealed yourself. It would be a good idea to have site (www.wce.coop), including the “101 Easy a professional come to make sure the system is Ways to Save Energy and Money” published by operating to maximum efficiency by checking Touchstone Energy®. that your heat pump is properly charged or your

December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 11 HOLIDAY TIPS Keeping Good Cheer Holiday Safety and Crime Protection

National Neighborhood Watch https://nnw.org/holiday-safety

The jolly man in red is the only visitor that’s supposed to be entering homes stealthily this Christmas, shimmying down chimneys and stealing bites of cookies washed down with gulps of milk. But, for too many, St. Nick isn’t the only unexpected holiday visitor. Porch pirates are stealing holiday joy and other criminals are itching to find untended digital portals into homes. A 2017 study titled “Package Theft Report: Porch Pirates, Purchase Habits and privacy” by Schorr.com found that nearly 1 in 3 Americans say they have experi- enced package theft. A separate study by www.insurancequotes.com found that around 25.9 million Americans have had a package delivered during the holiday shopping season stolen, up from 23.5 million reported porch thefts in 2015. General Holiday Packages left on doorsteps Safety and Crime can attract holiday thieves. Avoid Prevention Tips Porch Courtesy of the Knoxville, Tenn., Police „°Consider safe deposit boxes for coin and Department stamp collections, seldom-worn jewelry, Theft: stock bonds, etc. At Home Five tips to Protect „°Be sure to mail cards, checks or gift certif- „°Make sure all doors and windows have Your Packages secondary locks (window pins, deadbolts, icates from the Post Office or at a blue U.S. dowels, etc.) and use them! Postal Service collection box. „° Network with „° Neighbors „°Don’t hide spare keys in mailboxes or Lock your vehicle and remove all the „° planters or under doormats. valuables. Yes, even in your driveway. Have Packages Delivered to Work „° Strangers at Your Door Ensure that dark areas and entrances have „° Leave Specific outdoor lights that are turned on after dark „° Use caution anytime there is a stranger at Drop-off or are activated by sensors. your door. Instructions „° Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed so „°Be suspicious of unexpected sales calls or „° Use a Smart Lock they do not conceal doors and windows. deliveries. Ask for identification. Remember, overgrown foliage can provide „° Install Security a hiding place for criminals. „°Be aware of scams that criminals commit Cameras to take advantage of people’s generosity „°Place gifts where they can’t be seen from during the holidays. the outside.

12 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 ONLINE TIPS Keeping Your Devices Secure „° Use Security Software. Install anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a firewall. Set your preference to update these protections often. Installing these types of programs will help protect against intrusions and infections that can compromise your computer files and passwords. Outdoor decorations can also be targets of holiday grinches. These programs install security patches for your operating system and other software programs. „°Investigate charities before making „° Avoid Phising Emails. Don’t open donations. Ask how the funds will be files, click on links or download used. Six Ways programs sent by strangers. Opening a file from someone Leaving for the Holidays to Grinch- you don’t know could expose „°Ask a trusted friend, neighbor or your system to a computer virus Neighborhood Watch member to Proof Your or spyware that captures your passwords or other information you watch your home. Holiday Light type. „°Use timers for lights and radios while „° Be Wise about Wi-Fi. Before you you’re away. Displays send personal information over your laptop or smartphone on a „° Remember to make arrangements for „° Shut down at night public wireless network in a coffee mail and newspapers. „° Set up surveillance shop, library, airport, hotel or other After the Holidays „° Crime-proof your yard public place, see if your information will be protected. If you use an „°Don’t advertise expensive toys, „° Consider bringing in valuable encrypted website, it protects only electronics or other gifts received items at night the information you send to and by the boxes left for garbage collec- „° Stay connected from that site. If you use a secure tions. Compress large boxes and „° Report, report, report wireless network, all the information place them in black garbage bags for you send on that network is pick-up. protected. „° Lock Up Your Laptop. Keep financial „°Add new items to your home information on your laptop only inventory. Take photos or video of what his or her vehicle looks like and when necessary. Don’t use an all items of value in your home and list its license plate number. Second to automatic login feature that saves each item’s make, model, serial number that, get the thief’s physical descrip- your user name and password and and other information. tion – gender, approximate height and always log off when you’re finished. That way, if your laptop is stolen, „°Engrave new items to help identify weight and what they’re wearing – so it will be harder for a thief to get at them in the event they are stolen. you can tell an officer. your personal information. „° What to do if you’ve become Call 911 and ask for an officer to come „° Read Privacy Policies. Yes, they to your home. a victim of a porch pirate can be long and complex, but they „°If you have a security camera on your tell you how the site maintains „° Check with your delivery company to home, get a copy of the video to police. accuracy, access, security and make sure your package was actually Ask your neighbors if their cameras control of the personal information it collects; how it uses the delivered. captured the thief in action. information and whether it provides „° Know exactly what’s in the missing Source: National Neighborhood Watch, information to third parties. If you box. A Division of the National Sheriffs’ don’t see or understand a site’s „°If you see the thief, pay attention to Association privacy policy, consider doing business elsewhere. December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 13 COMMUNITY FOCUS

Wall Elementary students eat their lunch, complete with locally raised beef.

BEEF: IT’S FOR LUNCH Beef to School Program Launched

Jocelyn Romey [email protected] Local beef is on the lunchtime menu for Wall, S.D., students, thanks to the efforts – and donations – of local producers and businesses. “We consider this a must-do for the kids and our community,” said Ken Charfauros, owner of Wall Meats Processing, who with others, spearheaded the Beef to School program in the school in January 2019. The program has grown from that first 90-pounds of locally raised beef eaten by more than 200 students in the school. It is now a sustainable program in Wall and serves as an example to area schools that value the educational and financial benefits of serving up beef from local ranches. Other South Dakota schools currently in the pilot phase of implementing this program are in Custer, Edgemont, Faith, New Underwood and Philip. In 2018, Wall Meats Processing partnered with the school, Wall FFA and the Ag Committee of Wall Economic Development Corporation to plan and implement the project. Three months later, ranchers began donating the beef and Wall Meat Processing contributed the cost of processing U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson joined Wall and delivering. This community partnership has students for lunch to learn about the grown more effective and continues to provide district’s Beef to School program. 14 Cooperative Connections | December 2019 What To Do If You’re Identity is Stolen

Cancel all credit cards Request a letter from the bank or credit institution confirming that a fraud has been committed against you and that you are not responsible for the ensuing debt. COMMUNITY FOCUS Close any of your accounts that have been compromised. File a police report with your local police or sheriff’s office. You can also file a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred and obtain a copy to show creditors. When filing the report please ask the person taking the report about the National Crime Information Center local beef to the school district. (NCIC) Identity Theft report. Wall Economic Development believes Call the three (3) national credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your name and social that the purpose of this project is to security number. Refer to the Reference Guide section for contact information. provide an educational opportunity and Take notes and keep a record of conversations and make copies of correspondences. Retain this information indefinitely. help develop the local economy. Students receive an education on what they eat and Contact the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Hot Line at 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338) to file a complaint. where it comes from. They are also able to Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure that no unauthorized license(s) have been issued in your name. actively learn about beef nutrition through After all related matters are corrected, request new credit reports to confirm that fact. outreach conversations. Top Identity Theft Crimes: “This program is a good educational piece for FFA students and a good project for future farmers,” said Charfauros. Credit Card Fraud But it’s not just the students who are Cellular Phone Fraud learning. Charfauros said his staff and those involved in developing this Check Fraud program are also learning how to effec- Loan Fraud tively cut healthy meat selections that fit that money is saved when the school and Sens. Thune and Rounds along with every schools’ requirements. The Wall district does not have to pay federal fees the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Government Benefits Fraud School District requires meat that has a for meat being delivered from out of state. Economic Development reached out Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It’s a serious crime that can wreak 90 percent lean to 10 percent fat ratio. to Charfauros to discuss the programs “The major thing about local food is that havoc with your finances, credit history, and reputation - and can take time, money, and patience to resolve. The average victim spends approxi- However, other schools who are in the achievements. From Charfauros’ outreach, it helps your local economy. That money mately 175 hours (more than four (4) forty (40) hour work weeks) to repair identity theft damage. pilot phase of the program may require more school districts are showing interest goes back to the community and gets different ratios. How the meat is cut and in adopting the program and promoting spent several times,” said local rancher delivered is determined by local schools as beef nutrition, student education and local Josh Geigle, who participated in the Wall Security Breaches well as federal and state regulations. economic development. Beef to School program. Have you received a letter informing you that your personal information may have gotten into the wrong hands? It is increasingly common for Another purpose of this program is “This is an outreach program to our Due to the current success of the Beef to companies, educational institutions, and government agencies (whether or not their state has a breach notice law) to notify individuals when to benefit the community. Charfauros communities, our producers and our kids,” School program, South Dakota’s leader- computer files containing personal information have been hacked, stolen, or lost. If the file includes your SSN, financial account numbers, commented that the local economy profits Charfauros said. driver’s license numbers, or data that would be useful to identity thieves, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of fraud. when local people buy local things and ship is taking notice. State Rep. Johnson

What should you do if you receive a letter telling you that your personal information has been compromised? First, don’t panic. A security breach does not necessarily mean that you will become a victim of identity theft.

Figure out what type of breach has occurred. Has a breach occurred with your existing financial account? Has your SSN been compromised, with the chance that new accounts can be established by an imposter? Has your driver’s license number been compromised, or another govern- ment-issued ID document? Existing accounts. If the breach involved your existing credit or debit card account, you will want to monitor your monthly account statements very carefully. Contact the creditor if your statement does not arrive on time. A missing bill could mean that an identity thief has changed your address. Check statements for transactions you did not make. Dispute those fraudulent charges directly with the credit or debit card company. The company will likely cancel the account and give you a new card and account number. You will not be responsible for the fraudulent charges if you properly dispute them. It’s very important to report the fraudulent transactions immediately. In some situations, the financial company will not wait for evidence of fraud. It will instead cancel the existing account and issue a new account number right away. The potential for new accounts to be opened. If the breach involved disclosure of your SSN, a fraudster could use that information to open new accounts in your name. You will not immediately know of the new accounts because criminals usually use an address other than your own for the account. Since you will not be receiving the monthly account statements, you are likely to be unaware of the account(s). That is why it is so important to place a fraud alert with the three credit reporting agencies immediately when you learn that your SSN has been compromised, and then to monitor your credit reports on an ongoing basis. Other evidence of new account fraud include receiving credit cards in the mail that Members of the Wall FFA Chapter along with area beef you did not apply for, being denied credit when you know you’ve had a good credit score, and being contacted by debt collectors for payments producers, the Wall Economic Development Corporation and that you do not owe. Wall Meats Processing partnered with the Wall School District to implement the Wall Beef to School program in 2018. ID Documents. Nearly all the security breaches reported to date have potentially involved financial accounts. But if you are notified of a breach involving your driver’s license or another government document, contact the agency that issued the document and find out what it recom- mends in such situations. You might be instructed to cancel the document and obtain a replacement, or the agency might instead “flag” your December 2019 | Cooperative Connections 15 file to prevent an imposter from getting a license in your name. For security breach situations involving your Social Security Number (SSN) - in other words, breaches in which there is an opportunity for new accounts to be opened in your name you should consider taking the following actions: Notify the credit reporting agencies and establish a fraud alert. Immediately call the fraud department of one of the three credit reporting agencies - Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. As soon as the agency processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two agencies, which then must also place fraud alerts in your file. Order your credit reports. If you are a victim of identity theft, you will see evidence of it on your credit report. Surveys have found that the DATELINE

October 19-January 5 December 14: Frontier Christmas, Pheasant Hunting Season, Lake City, SD, 605-448-5474 Statewide, Pierre, SD, 605-223-7660

November 15-December 18 Black Hills Christmas Tree Permit Season, Custer, SD, 605-673-9200

November 22-23 Holiday Arts Christmas Craft Show, Masonic Hall, Mitchell, SD, 605-359-2049

November 22-January 5 Winter Wonderland, Sioux travelsouthdakota.com Falls, SD, 605-275-6060

November 23-24 Winterfest: A Winter Arts courtesy: Photo Festival, Aberdeen, SD, December 7 December 31 January 31-February 9 605-226-1557 Holidazzle Light Parade, Make-A-Wish New Year’s Eve Annual Black Hills Stock Show November 26-December 26 Spearfish, SD, 605-717-9294 Benefit and Dance, Ramkota & Rodeo, Rapid City, SD, Christmas at the Capitol, Hotel & Convention Center, 605-355-3861 December 7 Pierre, SD, 605-773-3178 Doors Open at 7 p.m., Rapid City Garden Club’s 58th Aberdeen, SD, 605-370-4588 March 14 November 29 Annual Wreath & Centerpiece 28 Below Fatbike Race, Ride Annual Holiday Open House, Sale, Canyon Lake Activity January 7-9 and Tour, Lead, SD, Cultural Heritage Center, Center, Rapid City, SD, Dakota Farm Show, 605-641-4963 Pierre, SD, 605-773-3458 605-343-0710 Vermillion, SD, 800-873-1411 March 20-21, 27-28 November 29-30 December 7-8 January 16-17 Annual Schmeckfest, 1880 Train Holiday Express, Living Christmas Tree, Media One Funski, Sioux Falls, Freeman, SD, 605-925-4237 Hill City, SD, 605-574-2222 Civic Arena, Aberdeen, SD, SD, 605-339-0000 605-229-6349 March 28 November 30 January 24-25 Annual Ag Day at the Holiday Celebration and December 7-8, 14-15, Pro Snocross Races, Washington Pavilion, Winter Market, Rapid City, SD, 21-24 and 27-28 Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-6000 605-716-7979 1880 Train Holiday Express, Hill City, SD, 605-574-2222 January 25 To have your event December 6-7, 12-14, 19-21 31st Annual Living History December 14-15 Fair 2020, A trade fair with listed on this page, send Strawbale Winery Twilight complete information, Black Hills Cowboy historic arts, crafts, displays, Flights, Renner, SD, including date, event, 605-543-5071 Christmas, Lead, SD, museums and clubs place and contact to your 605-584-2067 representing times of A.D. local electric cooperative. December 7 1000 to A.D.1890, 9 a.m. to Include your name, address Christmas in the Village Craft December 15-March 31 5 p.m., Lake Area Technical and daytime telephone Fair, Community Center, South Dakota snowmobile Institute, Watertown SD, number. Information must Oacoma, SD, Contact Leslie trails season, Lead, SD, 605-693-4589 or christy@ be submitted at least at 605-730-1076 605-584-3896 cchsmuseum.org eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.